On tour with Christina Freeburn, author of Designed to Death, discussing her Surprise Writing Influence

I would like to welcome Christina Freeburn who is on a blog tour with Great Escapes Virtual Tours for the release of her new book, DESIGNED TO DEATH, which is the second book in the Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery series. The Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery series brings together Christina Freeburn’s love of mysteries, scrapbooking, and West Virginia. When not writing or reading, she can be found in her scrapbook room or at a crop. Alas, none of the real-life crops have had a sexy male prosecutor or a handsome police officer attending.

Christina served in the JAG Corps of the US Army and also worked as a paralegal, librarian, and church secretary. She lives in West Virginia with her husband, children, a dog, and a rarely seen cat except by those who are afraid or allergic to felines.

Christina has kindly written a guest post for us today. Welcome, Christina.

One of the questions often asked of writers is what book or author has influenced their writing. I always found the question tough as I never thought I’d been influenced by one particular book or author. Even though most of my novels contain a crime, I’ve done police procedurals, edgy inspirational romantic suspense, humorous traditional detective novel (set in an untraditional setting) and now a cozy mystery series, none have the same tone or style. 

How could any one writer or book influence my writing when each series has their own voice and style? Sometimes the current book is a complete opposite of the last project I wrote. I figured I didn’t have an influence. Until I realized there was one element that ran through all my books—family. 

My favorite mystery series, overall my first “book love”, were the Hardy Boys. Frank. Joe. Fenton. Laura. Aunt Gertrude. Even now, I still sometimes pick up a Hardy Boy book and read it. There’s something about the stories that tug at my heart and are a comfort to me. I was drawn to the Hardy Boys because I yearned to be in their family. Reading those books allowed me to spend time with siblings who loved and cared about each other, where parents supported their children (though I’d never be that supportive if my teens wanted to hunt down criminals). The Hardy Boys filled a longing in me. The books brought joy to my life and allowed me to experience the type of family I dreamed about as a child. 

Without having known it, the Hardy Boys played a key role in the type of stories I wrote. Whether I write mysteries or romantic suspense, there is a strong family unit that is the backbone of the book. The family members don’t always get along in harmony. They have their moments of arguments and saying just that ‘perfect’ thing to irritate their sibling but in the end … they stand up and by each. When one is threatened, they close ranks as no issue between them is ever more important than each other’s well-being. Disagreements and personality clashes become non-existent. Family is first.

Thank you Christina, I think we all would have to agree with you about that.

Book Details
Genre: Cozy Mystery – 2nd in Series
Published by: Henery Press
Release Date: September 10, 2013
Number of Pages: 288

BLURB

Faith Hunter planned the perfect event at her grandmother’s shop, Scrap This, featuring local scrapbooker and Life Artist Diva, Belinda Watson. But the extravaganza goes up in a cloud of glitter when Belinda and her cousin, Darlene, brawl over scraplifted designs. Faith attempts to break it up, but only makes things worse. Then when Belinda turns up dead behind the Scrap This store, Faith’s involvement goes viral.

As accusations against her turn vicious, Faith sets out to prove her nemesis, Darlene, committed the crime, only to realize they are both innocent. Now they must team up or the murderer’s plan will come together seamlessly with the frenemies sharing a jail cell—or worse, a funeral.

DESIGNED TO DEATH is the second book in the Faith Hunter Scrap This mystery series. Be sure to check out the first crafty mystery, CROPPED TO DEATH. Bonus: includes scrapbooking tips.

REVIEW

Silly me. I thought this was the first book in a new series by Christina Freeburn but quickly realized it wasn’t. So being me, and as I was enjoying it, I put it down and got the first one to read first. The series starts with CROPPED TO DEATH, then EMBELLISHED TO DEATH will follow in April 2014. DESIGNED TO DEATH opens with a signing and a class, at the Scrap This shop, by newly named Life Artist Diva Belinda Watson. A very clever device, actually, as you pretty much ‘meet’ all the characters right in the beginning. Belinda and her cousin Darlene get in a knock down call the police physical fight, and the class never takes place, because Belinda stole Darleen’s designs to win her title. When Belinda is found dead that night behind Scrap This, Darlene is the number one suspect. Not that there is any shortage of alternate suspects. From Faith herself when there are vicious allegations on a scrapping message board, to Belinda’s overprotective mother, to the magazine publisher embarrassed by the fraud… the list goes on. Faith joins up with Darlene to solve the murder even though they are far from friends. Faith is also trying to choose between Ted and Steve and when she finally chooses Steve has to deal with his sudden disinterest. This is a fun series with very likable characters you will want to visit with again and again with every new book. Even if you are not a fan of scrapping (and I’m not – it’s about the only craft I never got into) you will enjoy the series as it is not too heavy with information about the hobby – as some hobby series can be. And if you are into the hobby, there are hints at the back of the book.

Whether you are a scrapbooking fan or not, you will love The Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery Series and DESIGNED TO DEATH. I give it a solid ♥♥♥♥♥

Christina’s Links:
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Website
Blog

BUY THE BOOKS

Tour Participants
September 10 – Chloe Gets A Clue Review, Interview & Giveaway
September 11 – A Blue Million Books Interview
September 12 – Mommasez… Review, Guest Post & Giveaway
September 13 – StoreyBook Reviews Review & Giveaway
September 15 – Cozy Up With Kathy Interview
September 16 – Mochas, Mysteries and More Guest Post
September 17 – Queen of All She Reads Review, Guest Post & Giveaway
September 18 – Books Are Life – Vita Libri Review & Giveaway
September 19 – Brooke Blogs Review & Guest Post
September 20 – rantin’ ravin’ and reading Review & Guest Post